What Does a Chef Manager Do? Do I Need Formal Education to Become One?

One of the most lucrative position you can earn yourself as a culinary arts degree holder is that of a chef manager. You not only become the driving force in the kitchen, but also a source of inspiration and direction to the rest of the staff. If you are interested in getting to the pinnacle of the culinary profession, working as a chef manager could be the right goal for you.

What Exactly Are Chef Managers and What They Do in a Restaurant?

A chef manager otherwise known as executive chef, master chef, or chefs de cuisine is first in command when it comes to the kitchen. It is a supervisory role in restaurants, hotels and any other establishment where food is served. As much as cooking skills are vital when working in the kitchen, your duties will not be restricted to cooking when you are a chef manager. You get to interact with not only the kitchen staff, clientele, and even front office professionals.

Typical Day-to-Day Responsibilities of a Chef Manager

Your role as a chef manager can make or break a restaurant, and it’s not only about how the food tastes. You also have to deal with people in addition to food and cooking equipment. As a chef manager, you should be prepared to work in a fast-paced environment, nights, holidays, and even weekends may find you at work ensuring continued efficiency of the kitchen and profitability of the business. Here are some of the duties of a chef manager:

Overseeing Food Preparation

As the master chef, you are responsible for the quality of food that comes out of your kitchen. Chef managers oversee all food preparations to ensure they meet the established standard and follow the required procedures.

Managing Kitchen staff

Chef managers are in charge of the hiring and training of new kitchen staff and also have scheduling duties. They supervise all the staff activities from the cooks to the dishwashers. Like any other workplace, kitchen-related issues may come up. Chef managers are expected to ensure quick resolution of problems for the smooth running of the kitchen and business as a whole.

Budgeting and Purchasing

A chef manager is in control of budgeting and purchasing of kitchen supplies as well as maintaining inventory. You may be required to use specific software to complete your accounting tasks efficiently.

Monitoring Sanitation and Kitchen Safety Standards

The kitchen is the backbone of any food establishment and requires high level of hygiene. Chef managers monitor sanitation practices in the kitchen and ensure that all kitchen safety standards are met. This includes checking kitchen supplies, equipment, and working spaces to ensure they are clean and functional.

Creating menus and Implementing New Operational Ideas

Chef managers are responsible for coming up with menus that offer quality meals to customers. They also decide how the food will be priced and presented in a way that maximizes customer satisfaction and the profitability of the business.

For you to execute your duties well, you will require accounting and budgeting skills, creativity and food knowledge for menu creation and expertise in food preparation. You should also possess leadership skills and teamwork to keep everything running smoothly in the kitchen.

Do I Need Formal Education to Become a Chef Manager?

While post-high school training is not required for chefs and cooks, most culinary professionals who are bent on succeeding pursue formal training in culinary and technical schools as well as colleges. Given that this is a highly competitive management position, you need to be well rounded to impress your employer with both education and years of experience.

Formal training should impart the knowledge and skills that prepares you for your responsibilities as a chef manager. A degree, for example, could provide comprehensive training as it covers everything from kitchen work like menu planning to business through inventory management. Other than giving you basic class knowledge that you won’t get on the job, it exposes you to work experience through externships and internships.

Most educational institutions require students to undergo internships which give you work experience and may lead to placement. It’s also a chance to build meaningful connections that are important during job-seeking.

Take the First Step Toward Becoming a Chef Manager

Are you ready to join the culinary world? If you want to become a chef manager, consider ECPI University’s Culinary Institute of Virginia for an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Culinary Arts. For more information about this exciting program, connect with a helpful admission professional today.

It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!

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